ABS-CBN Spends Big Bucks For HD Upgrade

Posted on May 15th, 2009. Written by Rico.

According to a Sony PR, ABS-CBN recently acquired 24 HD-quality portable studio cameras (the Sony HDC-1400R HD), effectively updating their equipment at their headquarters in Quezon City. This obviously means that the local television company will start broadcasting its shows in high definition.

While the press release cites “increasing demand for high definition content from their domestic audiences and those that they export to around the globe” as a reason, the upgrade was probably done more for Filipinos based in the US and other countries where HD-quality broadcasts are becoming mainstream. It might be good to see Willie Revillame practice lechery entertain in supposedly better picture quality, but I doubt lots of “domestic” Filipinos can afford an HDTV, right?

Money’s apparently no problem for ABS-CBN. A refurbished (used but restored to nearly new condition) Sony HDC 1400 costs at least $53,000. That’s at least P60.76 million pesos for the 24 cameras.

In any case, someone has to take the first step, and those who do own HDTVs in the Philippines may finally maximize their pricey purchase. Or there’s the possible chance that Filipinos can now watch HD ABS-CBN videos online. Thanks Jayvee!